Josh couldn't have been happier to hear Elise Calcifet 's voice, seeing Jasmine frolicking about and hearing Audrey's gears turn. Truly a team of princes and princesses, the Galarian possessed. "Thanks for dropping by," the Leader replied in a somber tone. "This has been... really hard for me since Sootopolis. Were it not for running into Entei and getting a ride back to the Gym after Sootopolis, I might not be able to effectively lead anymore. It hurts to think about." More of Josh's Pokémon arrived; even Raikou, Entei, and Suicune, the three paradoxes, were there to pay their solemn respects.

Rani gave Jasmine a gentle pat, keeping the much smaller feline's size in mind as much as possible. "We're down a member, as I'm sure you heard. And Aslan wasn't the only Pokémon that got taken from me that day, either. Resheph, my Dragonair, is dead as well. That snow cat from the Border is in Rocket's hands now. And that's how she got done in." There was a day where Josh wanted to capture the Chien-Pao from the Border and raise it to be a feline steed that he could use to chase Raikou down. After seeing how jayden cross acted under the big cat's influence, he was glad he didn't give it a serious effort.

It was yet another reason he was skeptical of even the League's Avatars. Was their relationship truly symbiotic, or was it dominating?

"While I wouldn't wish any of what happened to Shalin Nariya on anyone, I'm glad you ended up transferring to Rustboro. Had you been stationed in Petalburg, that could have been you," the Leader continued as he procured two clumps of ROWAP BERRIES for the new king and queen of his pride. "Kovu, Nala, it's time." He whistled for the two and directed them toward the royal feast before them. Taking a bite out of them, the lion and lioness began to glow a brilliant gold for several seconds. Once the light faded, their fur reflected that new color, Kovu the spitting image of the late Aslan.

Already distressed over the loss of Aslan, Josh's eyes turned red at the second bit of awful news. "I know, Ghost," he loudly mumbled as he shook both his fists in frustration while the rest of his pride. At the mention of swordplay, Josh tilted his head back toward Elise. "I didn't know you had sword skills! Finnegan Yang taught me a while ago, but I'm really rusty. Want to spar this winter? Might be a good way to keep our skills sharp while it's cold. And this place was supposed to have warm weather year-round... stupid Kyurem..." The summers were unbearably hot compared to Johto, but the winter weather was a lot nicer than back there, when Goldenrod was covered in snow.

"Thanks for the condolences; they help out a lot," he continued, walking toward the two Shiny lions and embracing them one at a time. His entire pride surrounded him and purred in sync, shaking the air around him much like the wake of a clock tower's giant bell. "My theory is that they're trying to use her for either ransom or a prisoner exchange."

Relieved to have a partner that could help him de-rust his skills, Josh nodded toward Elise Calcifet . "Excellent. Perhaps we can even use their academy's hall rather than my Gym. That way, it won't feel like either of us have home field advantage. Most of what I learned there was mounted combat... though we might go back to basics before that." While a blade was easier to use on foot, the ideal weapon to be used from the saddle was a polearm. Perhaps he could learn to use one of those, as well. He doubted he could do so at Finnegan Yang 's school, but it was worth a try.

"For your own safety... this is something you don't want to be involved in. Believe me. Shalin is a prisoner of war now," he turned toward and warned the Ranger. "You've got plenty on your hands. You're a strong trainer, don't get me wrong, but... this is war we're talking about. It's a hell unlike anything you've ever been exposed to. Aslan died fighting a war. Resheph died fighting a war. Nothing's bringing them back. Do you think you could handle what I'm going through?"

Lutgarde's attending in unusual silent contemplation. They haven't been at the biggest battles in person, but their influence spreads. Evacuating pokémon and people alike, seeing that they find a place to stay that might be safe for the moment. And all the victims that fall in battle.

They do not immediately approach Josh Devlin after the ceremony, but spend a moment afar still, holding Sylv in their arms who is equally contemplative. Frankly, there's not much they could offer in words of condolences, but they eventually make their way over to Josh, standing with Elise Calcifet and ghost fireheart, catching the last wisps of conversation about Shalin's capture - another heavy topic to weigh on a mind today.

"Hey there, Josh," they greet the gym leader, "and my condolences ... Nala and Kovu look resplendent." They try a faint smile, before it drops considering the actual conversation. They put it out again, however, as they regard Elise and an unknown trainer with a nod of their head, "Hello, Elise - and hi, I'm Lutgarde, also a ranger."

ooc. dropping lut in, but feel free to disregard for post order!